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Showing Original Post only (View all)"Beyond disbelief": Kelly's Defense of Rob Porter Roils the West Wing - Gabriel Sherman [View all]
BEYOND DISBELIEF: JOHN KELLYS DEFENSE OF ROB PORTER ROILS THE WEST WINGStaff Secretary Rob Porter, who has been accused of abusing his former wives, is Kellys right handand dating Hope Hicks, one of Trumps closest confidantes. But Kellys declaration that Porter is a man of true integrity and honor was seen as deeply tone deaf.
BY GABRIEL SHERMAN
FEBRUARY 7, 2018 2:18 PM
For weeks, Donald Trump has been souring on his Chief of Staff John Kelly because of his controlling ways and rising public profile. And now Kelly is in the midst of a bonafide crisis, one that exacerbates the presidents own #MeToo problems. On Tuesday, Kelly strongly defended White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter against disturbing allegations, published first in the Daily Mail, that he abused his ex-wives. Kellys decision to back Porter has left many people inside the White House angry, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. On Wednesday afternoon, Porter resigned. Axios reported Kelly wanted Porter to stay and fight.
Yesterday, Porters second wife, Jennifer Willoughby, told the Mail that Porter called her a fucking bitch on their honeymoon, and once pulled her naked out of the shower. In response, Kelly put out a statement calling Porter a man of true integrity and honor and a trusted professional. But shortly after Kelly rallied behind his colleague, Porters first wife came forward with additional harrowing allegations. Colbie Holderness, who married Porter in 2009, told the Daily Mail that Porter punched her in the face and choked her, among other alleged abuses. The article included a photo of her with a black eye. It was not hard enough for me to pass out, but it was scary, humiliating, and dehumanizing, she said. Porter told the Daily Mail that the allegations were slanderous and simply false.
Kellys decision to go to bat for Porter deeply frustrated White House staffers, sources told me. He was supposed to be the West Wings resident grown-up, but staffers are increasingly questioning Kellys judgment, four Republicans close to the White House told me. Its beyond disbelief. Everyone is trying to figure out why Kelly is leading the charge to save him, one former West Wing official said. Another Republican said: How many times has Kelly put out a statement defending Trump?
Sources said Kelly was so quick to defend Porter because the two have grown very close since Trump appointed Kelly chief of staff last summer. Porter, a Rhodes scholar, has helped Kelly instill discipline in the West Wing. Kelly has told people that Porter has a calming effect on White House operations. For instance, its Porter who screens all the information that gets to Trumps desk. Porter also helped Kelly conduct a West Wing organizational study that provided Kelly with a cudgel to sideline Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, two former West Wing officials told me. The officials also said Kelly supported Porter even after the F.B.I. delayed granting Porters security clearance because they uncovered his alleged history of spousal abuse.
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https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/02/john-kelly-defense-of-rob-porter-roils-the-west-wing
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"Beyond disbelief": Kelly's Defense of Rob Porter Roils the West Wing - Gabriel Sherman [View all]
DonViejo
Feb 2018
OP
Kelly's the kind of misogynist who believes "women are sacred" and how you treat'em
enough
Feb 2018
#1
When some man says we are "sacred" it tells me that actual normal women can never measure up
Hekate
Feb 2018
#11
This combination of "women are sacred" and men can do whatever they want to them
enough
Feb 2018
#15
It's a common pathology of patriarchal systems to combine both these ideas in one
enough
Feb 2018
#16
Women are sacred but are lesser minds, so we need to Biblically beat them into submission!
Oneironaut
Feb 2018
#8
Or when they greeted them at the door in high heels 👠flouncy shirt waist dress👗 perfectly coifed
sprinkleeninow
Feb 2018
#31